Comparison of Cervicovaginal Lavage, Cervicovaginal Lavage Enriched With Cervical Swab, and Vaginal Tampon for the Detection of HIV-1 RNA and HSV-2 DNA in Genital Secretions

Abstract

Although more eCVLs were contaminated with microscopic blood (29%) than CVLs (22%) or VTs (7%), detection of HIV-1 RNA remained higher using eCVL compared with CVL (risk ratio 1.43, 95% confidence interval 1.02 to 2.02) in uncontaminated samples. HSV-2 DNA was detected in less than 10% of samples by each method but in 7 (37%) of 19 women overall by 1 or more methods.